Efton Chism’s one-handed, go-ahead grab against the Bills gave the Patriots more than a big moment on Sunday. In Julian Edelman’s view, it may have given Chism the first real launch point of his NFL career.
“Chism wasn't known before [Sunday], but it's a play like that starts someone's career potentially,” Edelman said. “That's awesome to see.”
The catch was only part of Chism’s day. He finished with two receptions for 42 yards, pushing his season totals to four catches for 41 yards.
It also marked the second touchdown of his career, coming in his 11th NFL game. For a player who made New England’s 53-man roster after a strong training camp, the play was a coming-out moment for a wider audience, even if Patriots fans had already seen plenty of him over the summer.
Edelman knows the path well. The former Patriots receiver, who was inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame last year, entered the league as a seventh-round pick and built a 12-year career in New England after finding his footing in camp. That background made his reaction to Chism especially pointed.
Rob Gronkowski said he has already heard the Edelman comparisons floating around after the catch, but he wasn’t ready to go there.
“He stepped up in a huge way,” Gronkowkski said. “Julian, there’s so many people after that catch being like, ‘is that Edelman out there?’
I heard the room say that, a couple people. That ain’t no Edelman.
“Efton Chism, I think, had negative one-yard going into this game, and he played lights out with the opportunity that he got. I think he had another big catch as well. That’s how you win games and become a complete team when a guy like Efton Chism, who hasn’t even been playing this year, he’s a special teamer - comes in with a huge one-handed grab to win the game.”
Vrabel was just as direct about Chism’s value. During an interview on WEEI, he said “nobody works harder” than Chism, and on Monday at Gillette Stadium he said the performance could open the door to more work.
“Sure, of course. That’s what happens,” Vrabel said.
“I mean, guys continue to take advantage of their opportunities, they get more opportunities. I mean, we’ve been finding ways to work [Chism] in there previously.”
“It’s a balance, but he certainly did a lot of things well. I know that he’ll continue to do things well for us and continue to know a bunch of different spots.”
Buffalo’s CJ Gardner Johnson took a shot at Chism after the play, calling him a “practice squad player” and saying that Chism probably won’t be heard from again this season. Edelman’s response was simple.
“Only time will tell,” Edelman said. “It’s going to be up to you Efton Chism.
Prove them wrong. Prove them wrong, buddy.
Proven them wrong, bubs.”
The Patriots’ win, Vrabel said, got them back in the race. But Edelman and Gronkowski weren’t ready to say the team has arrived.
“Not yet, Gronkowski said. “They’re back to showing that they can be in contention and that they can play and that they can handle top teams.”
“We’ve got to go a drive without a bobbled snap or some kind of almost interception,” Edelman added. “We’re getting close.
This is a step in the right direction. Winning masks everything, but we have a long way to go.
There’s a light at the end of the tunnel, and it ain’t daylight, it’s an [expletive] train. It’s only Week 4.”
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